The Opelousas courier., 1887-11-19

| political leadership and policies, In which
| he referred to the letter sent to the Hayes
commission, in which Gov. Nichols declared
in favor Of
oB~LITERATIHa THE COLOR LINE.
And III this connection the major described
the organization of 500 colored Republicans
in East Feliciana into Democrats on the plat
form of 1879, q. they construed u IN the
asked: "Are You ready to open. your ranks,
| and take i'm the rank and file of the Repub.
lican party, divide with them the control OF
the state IN hL proportion on e R She1I nanap 81 ha at
leliciana ? If Gen. Nichols declaration OF
April s, 1877, does not mean that what does
In conclusY-Sr, the major referred to the
victory of the Democracy in New York, Mary
| land and Virginia, The last. named grand
old State has at last been redeemed, after o
sad experience, caused by divisions. IN the
ranks of the Democratic party. by which that
great State has remained, for SEVEN years
under a mixed government Of independents
Democrats and white Republicans, The
major expressed qualification at opportunity
to re.urn thanks il person for the h1ah
| honors conferred upon him by his party ana
the cordial support Of the people OF More
house. .,
marked attention, and was frequently aps
plauded and interrupted with shouts OF
Fright you are, Burke;" You are the man"
When he concluded he was presented WITH
giit-edged card reading, ITO the patron OF
industry, Major E. A. Burke: compliments
of Miss Eleanor MichIe." The applause was
so loud that the major had to respond with
bows.
This was to have concluded the speech
making, but
HON. G. j. BoATNER
arrived while Major Burke was speaking, and
a committee requested him to address the
meeting.
On being introduced by the chairman, Mr..
Boatner expressed his surprise that a serylie
tool and o boiter from the nomination OF his
nominee III COLLISION with a Republican.
should be invited upon a Democratic plat
form and permitted to address a Democratic
I'm tie Ptcd&sne of the sth instant" said
Mr.. Boatner. 81 am denounced, as such a
character. When the editor of the Picagune
declares that ], as chairman of the commit
tee on credentials Ct the State Convention OF
opinion of his owl, [~several voices IN audi
ence, DON'T believe it! Lies, lies!l, which
he may have had a right to do. When he
goes further and declares that l ever bolted
The nomination of my party, and ran in col
fusion with a Republican, he passes from the
domain Of opinion into that OF face and pub
fishes IA deliberate, willful and g1andetops
lie. Ii he publishes such a statement upo@
his own authority he lidlS If he publishes it
upon the authority OF anyone else, bis author
il a liar.
II have referred to this matter solely be-
cause | do not feel that | would be justified
in appearing before a Democratic audience
under such charges, without answering them
in the most unqualified manner.
since my very childhood [ have been
taught that it is right and proper, in an hon
Orable cause, to take a decided part. For
this reason, in 1888. l considered 1t my
duty, as a citizen and as q Democrat, to sup
rArt +1p ao~ls3nar oF haEL,arT I wat NJ
misfortune to be appointed chairman of a
committee, of which the editor of the Pfca-
yeale was a member. He voted consistently
and always aga INST the interests q /. y.
McIGnery. | voted exactly opposite. Ny
vote prevailed, and it did SO with his acnri-
essence, because the report OF the committee
was and therefore my action
had his Endorsement. Since that time, not
withstanding his wing OF the party acqui-
esced in the findings of the committee, he
has considered it consistent with ms honor rs
q gentleman and his duty as g public Jour
nailst to prostitute the great power OF a daily
paper to. crudh q private citizen, who Is ask
ing nothing at the handso Of the people. whois
ONLY ExEI-fG HIS RIGHT
as q citizen in supporting one of two oppo-
sing candidates for Office. and whose
personal career is not, therefore, O legiti-
mate subject OF criticism.
Were the charges of the Picug,ne to be
road only in the fifth district. l should be
y filing to submit my case to the verdict of
u + GtOSt devoted aCtSFcftlSO OF Gen.. ming III
tie coptedt TO which reference il made. lido
NIT believe that Gen. King or any of his sup
pt rters ever believed that | Yves III collision
W tn a Republican, or that | believed or re-
Ting short Of the regular nomination of my
pFty. / would not, therefore, consider it
necessary to say anything in vIndication of
myself but for the fact That many persons
outside the district. whose good opinion and
respect are highly valued, do not know the
truth. might Judge me on the faith of the
Rcagt,9ae'S editorial. The nomination Of G.
Newton for Congress to succeed Gen. King.
he having been one of my most active, out
spoken and warmest supporters, is conclusive
evidence that the Democracy of this district
did not regard the movement in support of
me Tor Congress
AS A BoLT.n
Mr.. Boatner next turned to the political
aspects of the present campaign, which he
discussed at length. He Gecol ded to Gen.
Nichols all honor due him and then too up
the McEnery administration and compared
it with that of Nichols, when dead con-
servatism existed. AS men looking to the
common welfare of the State it is the peoples
duty to support . live and progressive man
for Governor and not a man because he lost
his leg at Charlottesville.
In conclusion he said that Gen. Nichols
had no night to ask the people to retire an
honorable public servant, He asked pardon
Tor having referred to his personal matters.
Tie audience conceded with every utter
ance OF Mr.. Boatner, and eVinced their ap-
pToval by the clapping of hands and encour-
You did not bolt;" ''You are a true Demo
craft" mako them take it back.n
The meeting adjourned at 1870, and all
present attended the barbeene, where there
was a pfofusion of every thing good to cheer
the inner man and satisfy the multitude. A
number of prominent citizens from Monroe
were present. among whom was Capt. l.. D.
oIcLean.